Ballyandy (centre, red) ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies on way to winning the Weatherbys Champion Bumper

When a trainer as long in the tooth as Nigel Twiston-Davies says a horse’s handicap mark is “a gift” then you have to sit up and take notice.

This represents a fair drop in class for last year’s Champion Bumper winner who went down in a tight finish at Sandown last time out.

He looked like a horse having just his third run there as a clumsy jump or two meant he had to settle for second behind the top-class Messire Des Obeaux.

That form looks strong so Twiston-Davies isn’t talking out of turn when he beams about a mark of 135.

Make no mistake, this is a tough contest but Ballyandy has a real touch of class about him. If he can just brush up his jumping slightly — and that should come with experience — he can take his place at hurdling’s top table.

There are a few other progressive hurdlers in this and William H Bonney is a clear second choice. He really impressed when winning at Cheltenham last time, showing that handling a relatively big field isn’t a problem.

He won’t mind any cut in the ground and is another who looks a few pounds ahead of his handicap mark of 137.

Although Hargam is out with the rags at around 40-1, plenty of outsiders have won this and trainer Nicky Henderson has a good record in the race.

He hasn’t looked himself on a couple of runs this term but has been given a little break. Given his tumble down the weights too, he could sneak into the frame in conditions that should suit.